Our Americana is a podcast that explores unique small towns across America and examines the stories that impact, cultivate, and challenge community.
We head to South Florida to take a very candid look at the struggles of drug addiction and recovery through the lens of a listener.
Music by: El Perro del Mar, Chris Zabriskie, Lee Rosevere, and Freya Ridings
In our final celebration of other podcasts, we talk Detroit with Nina Innsted, Bakersfield with Chris Braaten, and Philly with Deana Marie.
Music by: Custodian of Records, Zachary Wilson, Ryan Little, Audiobinger, and Cloudjumper
Our Americana continues celebrating its first birthday by honoring podcasting. In the second of a three part series with various podcasters, Josh sits down with Jeremy Collins (Podcasts We Listen To) and Holly Hall (The Most Wonderful Wonder) to talk about the strange transition from New Orleans to Casper, Wyoming; and how a country band with a love of dark history created one of the most unique podcasts out there.
Music by: Welcome Little Stranger David Szesztay Kosta T Hyson Charles Atlas Vi-Fi
Our Americana celebrates its first birthday by honoring podcasting the best way we know how: through origin and community. In the first of a three part series with various podcasters, Josh sits down with Steven Pappas of the Is This Adulting? podcast to talk very candidly about his North Carolina upbringing, mental health, religion, evolving ideology, and what it means to be a progressive southern boy.
Music by: Dave Depper, Will Bangs, Milky-Chu, Jon Watts, Johnny_Ripper, and Evgeny Grinko
Hot off the heels of #VanLife, we stick to the open road and explore American Roadside Attractions. Manatees, vacuums, Big Fish, and some listener stories.
Music by: Drake Stafford, Broke For Free, Three Chain Links, Maxim Kornyshev, Will Bangs, and Cloudjumper
Josh catches up with the four #VanLifers who he chatted with last July. Jennifer and Josh talk about the privilege of experience. Alex finds solace and liberation in a disconnected life. And we find out whether Giddi and Jace made it back out onto the road after having their baby.
Sponsor the show: www.patreon.com/ouramericana www.paypal.me/ouramericana
A rebroadcast of S02|E05 and a primer for this week's forthcoming episode.
Seth tries to uncover how exactly the epidemics began and continue to occur. Jesse comes through recovery and starts the long road to creating a new life for himself. Holli, once a beacon for hope in Austin, struggles with the intersections of religion, media, and welfare; and then ultimately loses hope, herself.
Sponsor the show at www.Patreon.com/OurAmericana -or- www.PayPal.com/me/OurAmericana
We pause the story in Austin, to talk more personally about HIV.
Music by Chris Zabriskie & Luke Pigott.
Sponsor the show at www.Patreon.com/OurAmericana -or- www.PayPal.com/me/OurAmericana
In a small, rural Indiana town, what started as a drug epidemic became an HIV crisis. Government, religion, public health, the community, and the media coalesce in their various attempts to help a town in peril.
In a town with no radio or cellular waves, with no wifi or cable, life is wonderfully quiet. We examine our strange relationships with technology and meet a woman who suffers from electromagnetic sensitivity so bad, she spent a year living in a Faraday cage.
To learn more or sponsor the show: www.ouramericanapodcast.com
In a rural Iowa town rooted in Transcendental Meditation and home to the microcommunity movement, community-building and intention have been redefined.
A northern Minnesota town, struggling to find its economic identity, gets a little help from an unlikely resident and his uncanny routine. Plus, turtle racing.
To learn more or sponsor the show: www.ouramericanapodcast.com
(Original Broadcast: 11/25/16) In 2013, hundred dollar bills started mysteriously appearing throughout Salem, Oregon; in diaper boxes, tip cups, people's cars. This is the story of the mysterious person hiding them, and how their generosity became contagious.
Take a minute (or seven) to check out the newest podcast to join the Our Americana Podcast Network:
The Karen & Ellen Letters are found correspondence between two teenage girls and their landlord, over a three year period, from the '80s. This podcast is the reading of those letters and a re-telling of my journey to validate their authenticity. Plus, a weekly roundtable of guest commentators.
www.karenandellen.com
"America is what happens when a community comes together to overcome what feels insurmountable."
Our Americana returns on February 28 with 13 episodes over 14 weeks: 9 new towns, roadside attractions, a follow-up on #VanLife, and an update episode.
(Original broadcast: 9/22/16) This episode concludes the story of Luna the Whale and his time in Gold River. The town comes together to save Luna, and the town struggles in the wake of his absence and the lessons learned.
(Original broadcast: 9/15/16) In 2001, the small town of Gold River was adopted by a baby orca. Over the next five years, Luna the Whale would both unite and spark debate amongst the previously segregated town. And he would put this isolated Vancouver Island community on the map and at the forefront of an even bigger conversation about what happens when conservation and humanity collide.
Featured Music: Dave Depper, Lee Rosevere, Cloudjumper, Sergey Cheremisinov, Aaron Mist
In this hastily edited, year-in-review episode, I break from tradition to muse on Our Americana’s journey as a podcast and answer some FAQs, look into season three and Our Americana’s new projects, highlight some of 2016’s best podcasts, and share my countdown playlist of 2016's best songs.
See you all in February.
This week is Petoskey's Holiday Open House. In our Season Two Finale, I checked in with some old and new friends as they prepare for the big event; including the event coordinator and the local journalist covering it.
Special thanks to Sufjan Stevens, who was raised in Petoskey, for providing the holiday soundtrack.
This week's guests: Kalin Sheick, Matt Mikus, Katie Potts, Andi Symonds, and Zoe Marshall-Rashid.
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana
Featured Music: Sufjan Stevens - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; Sufjan Stevens - Silent Night; Sufjan Stevens - Put The Lights On The Tree; Sufjan Stevens - I'll Be Home For Christmas; Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band - Deck The Halls; Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band - Sleigh Ride; Seth Partridge - Snow Falling On A Quiet Valley; Rue Royale - Deck The Halls; The Nancies - Song For A Winter's Night Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
Our Americana listener Adrienne walks us through her hometown. We talk about how tragedy shaped her, politics and conversation in North Carolina, and life in a town full of memories. Plus, a song about bears.
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Featured Music: Rho - Long Drive Home; Scott Holmes - Childhood Memories; Luke Pigott - Mourning Breathing; Ballpen - The Hometown Dream; Podington Bear - Clouds Pass Softly Deux; Podington Bear - Little Do; Podington Bear - Sunset Stroll; Adrianna Krikl - Know Where Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
In 2013, hundred dollar bills started mysteriously appearing throughout Salem, Oregon; in diaper boxes, tip cups, people's cars. This is the story of the mysterious person hiding them, and how their generosity became contagious.
This week's guests: Heather Martin, JoAnn Culbertson, and Rob Whelan
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Special thanks to Night Cadet for the use of their song "Seaside."
Other Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Will Bangs - The Soft Glow of Christmas Lights; David Szesztay - Take Care; Dave Depper - Acoustic 2; Will Bangs - You Make My Heart Sing So Loud; Dave Depper - Wholesome 1; Josh Woodward - Thanks for Coming (Instrumental); Steve Combs - Thank You (Remix) Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
(Original broadcast: 7/7/16) Morgantown is a place that defies expectations. Nestled in the lush, green foothills of the Appalachians, is the town that is home to West Virginia University, a large coal-mining population, and West Virginia's oldest gay bar. Against all odds, this gay bar, Vice Versa, has become the center of Morgantown's thriving and connected community. This week we talk to three "sisters" who refuse to be silenced.
This week's guests:
Asra Nomani - A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and the author of “Standing Alone: An American Woman’s Struggle for the Soul of Islam.” Asra was recently the subject of the PBS documentary, "The Mosque in Morgantown" and lead the Pearl Project, a faculty-student investigation into the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
Christina B. Morgan - A Morgantown native and the drag host at Vice Versa, West Virginia's oldest gay bar.
Ari May Lilli - A twenty year old trans girl who has documented her entire transition through a video blog on YouTube.
Our Americana is hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana
Music by: Dave Depper, Will Bangs, Alex Fitch, Dr. Turtle, Podington Bear, and David Szesztay
In this exclusive minisode, we return to Gold River and chat with Donna, Mike, Suzanne, and Eugene about the relationships between humans and wild animals.
Eugene dives deep into some of his own stories highlighting these relationships and the importance of story-telling.
Plus, a three-minute preview of an episode I'm working on now. It's become one of the most notorious disappearances in America. This is a story not of the girl, but of the town.
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Featured Music: Lee Rosevere - Shimmering; El Perro del Mar - From The Valley To The Stars; spinningmerkaba - The Stars Look Different Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
It's how this whole thing started. When we set off on the open road that May evening, we knew our lives were about to change; we had no idea exactly how. We had no idea exactly how much, how wonderfully; how it would take us to right here, right now.
#VanLife is, of course, bigger than just us and our travels. And so, I reached out to some of our fellow roadtrippers to see how life on the road has changed them and their perspective on America.
And, just like with any great roadtrip, some music for the ride.
This week's Insta-guests:
Alex @agirlandhervan Jace & Giddi @wheninvan Jennifer @treeoftravel
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Terry Jackson - A Portion of Foxes; The Impossebulls - Road Warriors; Westy Reflector - The Long Road Ahead; The Bowmans - On The Road; Rho - Shady Ridge Row; Josh Woodward - Follow The Road; Jack Kotz - I'm The Only Road You Know; Ze Trigueiros - Big Road Of Burravoe; Will Bangs - I'm So Glad You Exist; spinningmerkaba - The Stars Look Different
Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
In this mini Madrid follow-up, Connie talks about how homeschooling her son became a community undertaking. We also get a brief look at Madrid's rich history and what happened when Hollywood tried to take over the town. Plus, the owner of the local mercantile talks about some of the more unique community gatherings.
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Charles Atlas - Demus; Nowhere Home - Happy The Playground Chimes
Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
A high desert ghost town is revitalized as an unincorporated, off-the-grid artists' community. In this ungoverned, un-policed town of 219, law enforcement consists of a self-appointed, five-person Intervention and Safety Team. This town and its governing by volunteerism will change the way you think about law enforcement, guns, ethics, and their impact on community.
This week's guests:
Connie Mayhew: Connie owns and operates Madrid's one and only roadside attraction, a donation-based photo park.
Mike T: Mike is the self-appointed head of a volunteer security team, in a town with no police.
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Charles Atlas - Demus; Nowhere Home - Happy The Playground Chimes; Alex Fitch - Secret Place
Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
This episode concludes the story of Luna the Whale and his time in Gold River. The town comes together to save Luna, and the town struggles in the wake of his absence and the lessons learned.
This week's guests: Jamie James: Jamie is a member of the Mowachaht / Muchalaht First Nation tribe. He became Luna's caretaker and closest friend in Gold River.
Donna Schneider: Donna was a chef on the Uchuck, a regional cruise ship based in Gold River. Donna was one of the first people to encounter Luna and, against all odds, developed a friendship with the orphaned whale.
Eugene Amos: Eugene is also a member of the Mowachaht / Muchalaht First Nation tribe. He moved to Gold River after the passing of his grandmother and almost immediately encountered another tragedy. But through a strange prophecy and the arrival of Luna, his views of the world and his relationships changed.
Michael Parfit & Suzanne Chisholm: Michael and Suzanne were sent to Gold River, by Smithsonian, to cover the story of Luna. They stayed on through multiple attempts at rescuing and relocating him, and later turned Luna's story into a documentary, The Whale. www.thewhale.com
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com
Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Cloudjumper - Orca; Lee Rosevere - Shimmering; Dexter Britain - The Stars Are Out; Phillipp Weigl - The Scent of Cedars; El Perro del Mar - From The Valley To The Stars Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
In 2001, the small town of Gold River was adopted by a baby orca. Over the next five years, Luna the Whale would both unite and spark debate amongst the previously segregated town. And he would put this isolated Vancouver Island community on the map and at the forefront of an even bigger conversation about what happens when conservation and humanity collide.
This week's guests: Donna Schneider: Donna was a chef on the Uchuck, a regional cruise ship based in Gold River. Donna was one of the first people to encounter Luna and, against all odds, developed a friendship with the orphaned whale. // Eugene Amos: Eugene is a member of the Mowachaht / Muchalaht First Nation tribe. He moved to Gold River after the passing of his grandmother and almost immediately encountered another tragedy. But through a strange prophecy and the arrival of Luna, his views of the world and his relationships changed. // Michael Parfit & Suzanne Chisholm: Michael and Suzanne were sent to Gold River, by Smithsonian, to cover the story of Luna. They stayed on through multiple attempts at rescuing and relocating him, and later turned Luna's story into a documentary, The Whale. //
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com //
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com //
Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Lee Rosevere - Watching Whales on the Moon; Cloudjumper - Orca; Sergey Cheremisinov - Forgotten Stars; Aaron Mist - Wait for Me; Aaron Mist - Whales Inside // Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com
In the season two premiere, we... encounter some growing pains and quality control issues while using fancy new equipment ...we also head to a rural county in the Berkshires, where the coalescence of agriculture, city weekenders, and a regional currency helped create the farm-to-table movement. /
This week's guests: Alice Maggio: Alice is the Local Currency Program Director at the Schumacher Center for New Economics, where she is further developing Berkshire County’s own local currency, BerkShares. www.berkshare.org / Andy Pruhenski & Abby Webster: Abby and Andy are Berkshires natives and own and operate a housewares store in downtown Great Barrington, One Mercantile. www.one-mercantile.myshopify.com /
Our Americana is produced & hosted by Josh Hallmark. Learn more at www.ouramericanapodcast.com //
Sponsor Our Americana at www.patreon.com/ouramericana -or- www.ouramericanapodcast.com //
Featured Music: Dave Depper - Perspective; Keshco - Waterback; Podington Bear - Golden Hour; Zachary Wilson - Depths of Heaven Music available at: www.freemusicarchive.com